Chingford Plain

Urban Greenspace in Essex

England

Chingford Plain

Small woodland by Sewardstone Road
Small woodland by Sewardstone Road Credit: David Howard

Chingford Plain, located in Essex, England, is an urban greenspace known for its natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Covering an approximate area of 250 acres, Chingford Plain offers a diverse range of landscapes, including grassland, heathland, and woodland, making it a haven for a variety of flora and fauna.

The plain is characterized by its open expanses, providing visitors with ample space to engage in various outdoor activities. It is a popular destination for walking, jogging, and cycling, with several well-maintained paths and trails traversing the area. The flat terrain and scenic views make it ideal for leisurely strolls and picnics as well.

Nature enthusiasts can explore the rich biodiversity found within Chingford Plain. The grassland areas are home to an array of wildflowers, while the heathland supports rare species such as the silver-studded blue butterfly and the Dartford warbler. The woodland sections provide a peaceful retreat, attracting woodland birds and small mammals.

Chingford Plain also boasts historical and cultural importance. The area was once used as a hunting ground for King Henry VIII and later became a common land for the local community. Today, remnants of its past can still be seen, including the Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge, a Tudor-era building that offers insights into the area's history.

The greenspace is easily accessible, with ample parking available and good transport links. It is a popular destination for both locals and tourists, offering a tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle of urban life. Chingford Plain is a valuable asset to the community, providing a space for relaxation, recreation, and connection with nature.

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Chingford Plain Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.637866/0.006900145 or Grid Reference TQ3895. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Small woodland by Sewardstone Road
Small woodland by Sewardstone Road
Sewardstone Road, Chingford This is the part of Chingford which is outside London despite the postcode.
Sewardstone Road, Chingford
This is the part of Chingford which is outside London despite the postcode.
Sewardstone Road, Chingford
Sewardstone Road, Chingford
Small woodland by Baden Drive, Sewardstone
Small woodland by Baden Drive, Sewardstone
Baden Drive, Sewardstone
Baden Drive, Sewardstone
Small woodland by Baden Drive, Sewardstone
Small woodland by Baden Drive, Sewardstone
Chingford Station On the London Overground.
Chingford Station
On the London Overground.
Butler's Retreat, Chingford A coffee shop on the edge of Epping Forest. Listed Grade II. The building on the extreme left is Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge.
Butler's Retreat, Chingford
A coffee shop on the edge of Epping Forest. Listed Grade II. The building on the extreme left is Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge.
Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge, Chingford Now a museum and Listed Grade II*. This is an early 16th century hunting lodge and is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge, Chingford
Now a museum and Listed Grade II*. This is an early 16th century hunting lodge and is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Public house and hotel The Royal Forest public house and a Premier Inn are co-located here.
Public house and hotel
The Royal Forest public house and a Premier Inn are co-located here.
Pole Hill, Chingford Green There is a trig point on the left and the obelisk on the right was a sighting point due north of Greenwich observatory. However, following a readjustment of the prime meridian it is now 19' to the east of it. The lower plaque refers to its geographical function and the upper plaque reveals that the land here was once owned by T E Lawrence. This is part of Epping Forest.
Pole Hill, Chingford Green
There is a trig point on the left and the obelisk on the right was a sighting point due north of Greenwich observatory. However, following a readjustment of the prime meridian it is now 19' to the east of it. The lower plaque refers to its geographical function and the upper plaque reveals that the land here was once owned by T E Lawrence. This is part of Epping Forest.
Chingford Masonic Hall The hall was built in the 1930s and features a banqueting hall which can accommodate up to 120 guests.

<span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.chingfordmasonichall.co.uk/about" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.chingfordmasonichall.co.uk/about">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Chingford Masonic Hall
The hall was built in the 1930s and features a banqueting hall which can accommodate up to 120 guests. LinkExternal link
Butlers Retreat This restored barn on the edge of Epping Forest is now a cafe.
Butlers Retreat
This restored barn on the edge of Epping Forest is now a cafe.
Connaught Water The construction of this eight-acre ornamental lake started in 1883. It was enlarged in 1893 and the two islands made. Before this transformation, the area consisted of a small swampy pool fed by the drainage from Hill Wood, Fairmead Bottom and Thicket. The aim of the Conservators in the early days was to drain the Forest to improve it for Commoners' cattle and to increase access safely.

The new lake was named after the newly appointed first Ranger of the Forest, the Duke of Connaught. The catchment area of Connaught Water is the woodland and plains northwards to High Beach from where the water is concentrated into two streams entering at the NE and NW corners of the lake.
Connaught Water
The construction of this eight-acre ornamental lake started in 1883. It was enlarged in 1893 and the two islands made. Before this transformation, the area consisted of a small swampy pool fed by the drainage from Hill Wood, Fairmead Bottom and Thicket. The aim of the Conservators in the early days was to drain the Forest to improve it for Commoners' cattle and to increase access safely. The new lake was named after the newly appointed first Ranger of the Forest, the Duke of Connaught. The catchment area of Connaught Water is the woodland and plains northwards to High Beach from where the water is concentrated into two streams entering at the NE and NW corners of the lake.
The River Ching Just about a mile from Chingford I was surprised at how small the river Ching was when I came across it walking section 19 of the London Loop.  It is the river that gives Chingford its name.
The River Ching
Just about a mile from Chingford I was surprised at how small the river Ching was when I came across it walking section 19 of the London Loop. It is the river that gives Chingford its name.
Waterlilies and Coots on Connaught Water
Waterlilies and Coots on Connaught Water
Land in Epping Forest near Ranger's Road, Chingford Taken from the London Loop footpath almost exactly on the Greater London - Essex boundary.
Land in Epping Forest near Ranger's Road, Chingford
Taken from the London Loop footpath almost exactly on the Greater London - Essex boundary.
Connaught Water Named after the first Ranger of Epping Forest, Queen Victoria's son Arthur, Duke of Connaught, this pond was first created in 1880 to drain a marshy area of the forest. It was used as a paddling pool and later as a boating lake.
Connaught Water
Named after the first Ranger of Epping Forest, Queen Victoria's son Arthur, Duke of Connaught, this pond was first created in 1880 to drain a marshy area of the forest. It was used as a paddling pool and later as a boating lake.
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Chingford Plain is located at Grid Ref: TQ3895 (Lat: 51.637866, Lng: 0.006900145)

Unitary Authority: Waltham Forest

Police Authority: Metropolitan

What 3 Words

///react.grace.tens. Near Buckhurst Hill, Essex

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.637866,0.006900145
Post Box
Brand: Royal Mail
Brand Wikidata: Q638098
Operator: Royal Mail
Operator Wikidata: Q638098
Post Box Type: pillar
Ref: E4 23
Royal Cypher: EVIIR
Royal Cypher Wikidata: Q33102324
Lat/Long: 51.6351099/0.0038624
Note: fixme: confirm if really two independent paths here -- yes, two paths as shown
Lat/Long: 51.6374259/0.0135875
Sport: golf
Lat/Long: 51.6345043/0.0115406
Fixme: review where this joins
Note: the path is not visible from the road at this point and it certainly does not join here.
Lat/Long: 51.637956/0.012696
Note: fixme: confirm if really two independent paths here -- yes, one is grass
Lat/Long: 51.637201/0.013926
Barrier: swing_gate
Motor Vehicle: no
Lat/Long: 51.6398169/0.0125661
Bicycle Parking
Bicycle Parking: stands
Capacity: 4
Covered: no
Fixme: Check exact location
Lat/Long: 51.6353026/0.0127151
Bicycle Parking
Bicycle Parking: stands
Capacity: 4
Covered: no
Fixme: Check exact location
Lat/Long: 51.6348326/0.0113368
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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